Variety
By Ethan Shanfield
March 22, 2021
Veteran TV producer Jeffrey M. Hayes, who oversaw development of “MacGyver” and
“Star Trek: The Next Generation” as executive VP of Paramount Pictures, has
died from an illness unrelated to COVID. He was 68.
Hayes started his career as a producer, writer and director with Aaron Spelling
Productions, where he worked on memorable series including “Vega$” and “T.J.
Hooker.”
In the late 1980s, Hayes went to Australia’s Gold Coast where he began to build
the infrastructure for a longstanding operation that would produce over 300
hours of international television. He later served as president of Village
Roadshow Pictures Television, where he executive produced “Sahara,” “In Pursuit
of Honor” and the TV remake of “Mission Impossible.”
In 2000, Hayes started his own production company, Coote/Hayes Productions, and
served as executive producer for projects such as “Salem’s Lot,” “Starter Wife”
and “Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King,” where he
first met director-producer Brian Henson.
Hayes’ professional accomplishments include winning the AFI award for Best
Miniseries for “On The Beach,” the VFX Emmy award for “Stephen King’s
‘Battleground’” and the NAACP award for Best TV Movie for “Trip To Bountiful.”
“Jeff was one of the loveliest people in the world, with an infectious laugh
that could shut down a room,” said Henson. “Meeting Jeff on ‘Battleground’
began a long friendship and working relationship that I treasured. He was an
astute producer who could make tough decisions while remaining kind — a tough
balancing act in this work. I will miss him dearly.”
“Jeffrey’s presence, persistence and trust of the Australian filmmakers that we
could deliver a product for the world and not just for our local screens, will
never be forgotten,” said Australian director Colin Budds. “He was instrumental
in so many careers. His legacy lives on here in Australia. He will be forever
in our hearts.”
Budds and Hayes worked together on the 1993 action series, “Time Trax.”
Hayes is survived by his wife and business partner Lisa Hayes, children
Christopher and Jacqueline and siblings Chip, Cathy and Cindy.
HAYES, Jeffrey M. (Jeffrey Michael Hayes)
Born: 3/3/1953, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Died: 3/9/2021, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Jeffrey M. Hayes’ westerns – executive producer:
In Pursuit of Honor (TV) – 1995
The Outsider (TV) - 2002
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